Tiffany's Revisited: Homage to Clara Driscoll
The idea for "Tiffany Revisited: Homage to Clara Driscoll" began after I recently learned of Driscoll's pivotal roll at Tiffany’s. Driscoll was director of the Tiffany Studios Women’s Glass Cutting department or the “Tiffany Girls.” I am sure few people are aware that She was the one who came up with the concept and design for the Tiffany lamps in 1895. This was during a time when women still had few rights or freedoms in the work place. In fact, Clara lost her job at Tiffany’s twice for getting married, the last time in 1909, as married women were not allowed to work there. Once I became aware of this I began to have a new appreciation for the lamps. Driscoll's nature based motifs mirror my own artistic inspiration. In keeping with my own artistic practice I am using recycled materials as a base for my pieces. My interpretation of the “Dragon Fly Lamp,” is a found lamp embellished with paint, toilet paper rolls, tissue paper and junk mail tiles. The “Wisteria” nightstand is cut and painted plastic tubes and toilet paper rolls. I am drawn to the idea of re-imagining something considered “high end” made from something “low end.”
Installation at the Women's Museum of California
